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Sorbus sitchensis M. Roemer

Sitka mountain-ash, Western mountain ash

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

USDA Symbol: SOSI2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A 3-10 ft. shrub with many erect to spreading stems from a common base. Foliage is pinnately compound with 7-9 toothed leaflets. Flowers are small and white in dense, flat-topped clusters. They are followed by huge clusters of big, reddish-orange, persistent berries. Fall foliage is yellow to bronzy-red.

The Sitka Mountain Ash is a member of the family Rosaceae which includes about 2000 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs worldwide; approximately 77 native and 9 naturalized tree species and many species of shrubs and herbs in North America; including service-berries (Amelanchier), hawthorns (Crataegus), apples (Malus), plums and cherries (Prunus), and mountain-ashes (Sorbus).

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower:
Fruit: Red
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: AK & Yukon, s. through mts. to n. CA, e. to e. B.C., n. ID & n.w. MT
Native Habitat: Wooded or open, upper montane to subalpine slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist to drier, well-drained soil.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Grouse, cedar waxwings & grosbeaks consume the berries.
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Description: Usually propagated by seed sown fresh in fall or stored and stratified.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Cold stratify at 32 degrees for 2-4 months.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Sorbus sitchensis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Sorbus sitchensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sorbus sitchensis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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